Sharjah24 – AFP: Cuba on Monday declared a cyclone alert in its six most western provinces as fast-approaching Hurricane Ian strengthened rapidly, with Florida also ramping up preparations ahead of a possible hit.
Authorities in Havana said they were ready to evacuate those from the most affected areas while supplying fresh drinking water and medical services.
"Given the continuing deterioration of the weather conditions... it was decided to establish from 0800 (1200 GMT) the Cyclone Alert Phase," said the Civil Defense Staff on state media.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned Ian was expected to pass near the Cayman Islands and then over western Cuba late Monday and early Tuesday.
"Rapid strengthening is expected during the next day or so, and Ian is forecast to become a major hurricane," it added, with current maximum sustained winds of 80 miles (130 kilometers) per hour.
Cuba's Insmet meteorology institute said Ian was advancing at a speed of 22 kilometers per hour.
The six provinces put on alert are Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Cienfuegos and Isla de la Juventud.
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